Plans to build a new 147-home housing estate from two empty hospital sites in Stonehouse were approved last night - and a new 'bat house'.

Standish House and Westridge Hospital sites in the Stroud district will be converted and refurbished into 48 homes, and a further 99 new-build homes will be constructed.

The Standish Hospital estate at Stonehouse, Stroud, was used in First World War, closed 15 years ago with several Grade II-listed buildings at risk of falling apart.

A look around the former Standish Hospital, which is to be redeveloped into housing by the PJ Livesey Group. Photo by Andrew Higgins 27-01-2017

Six ward buildings will be saved after district councillors approved the £32million scheme at a development control meeting last night.

Gloucestershire County Council however submitted a late reason for refusal during the meeting which frustrated members, with one branding it "shameful".

The county council, which is the highways authority, said the development doesn't "provide safe and sustainable access within the site" and the needs of people with disabilitied needing transport would not be catered for.

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The authority wanted to add a lay-by, a new footpath and widen one of the roads - but district councillors ignored the request.

The scheme will see the conversion of the Grade II-listed Standish House and its neighbouring stable block together with two Art Deco-style ward buildings and will also save the site’s hydrotherapy pool building, which was previously considered for demolition.

Bats which currently live in part of the buildings will have their habitats retained, and a new lift shaft and 'bat house' will be built for the blind mammals within the scheme, a council officer said.

Former Standish Hospital, which is to be redeveloped into housing by the PJ Livesey Group. Photo: Andrew Higgins

Speaking after the meeting Richard Wilshaw, planning manager with PJ Livesey, said: "We are very pleased to have reached this milestone and we will continue to work with the district council and the community as we bring this important site back into use."

The decision follows three years of consultation between the council and the developer the PJ Livesey Group. The Group appointed was preferred developer in 2016 by Homes England which currently owns the site.